Moldovan president urges Moscow to resist provocation with expelled diplomats

"Response steps will affect ordinary citizens of the country rather than authors of these decisions," Moldovan President Igor Dodon said

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CHISINAU, May 30. /TASS/. Moldovan President Igor Dodon has called on the Russian leadership not to make hasty decisions in response to a provocation of the ruling pro-European coalition and the government with the expulsion of Russian diplomats.

"I view the steps of the ruling pro-European coalition and the government in regard to Russian diplomats as a provocation with the goal to disrupt the restoration of strategic partnership between our countries," Dodon said.

The Moldovan leader asked Russian partners not to succumb to provocations. "Response steps will affect ordinary citizens of the country rather than authors of these decisions," Dodon said.

Five diplomats from the Russian Embassy to Moldova were declared personae non grata on Monday, Moldova's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration told reporters.

The Moldovan president said he plans to convene a meeting of the Security Council and demand a report from heads of the Foreign Ministry and special services. He hinted that this move is the work of the ruling Democratic Party of Moldova and its "Western sponsors," who are concerned over improving ties with Russia.

Dodon was also outraged as he found out about this decision of the government from Ambassador to Moscow Andrey Neguta.